Near Adamana in Apache County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Santa Fe Railroad
Petrified Forest National Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Denise Boose, September 2, 2013
1. Santa Fe Railroad Marker
Across the Puerco River, the tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad stretch for miles to the east and to the west. With no landforms or forests to block your view, you can see very long trains from beginning to end. More than 60 trains a day pass through the park.
The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad built this important line across the Southwest in 1882. That sparked the founding of many northern Arizona towns, including Holbrook and Winslow to the west.
The Fred Harvey Company, famous for excellent meals and hotels along the Santa Fe line, hosted guided tours into the Petrified Forest National Monument during the 1930s. Passengers disembarked at the Adamana station one mile (1.6 km) to the west to tour petrified forests in open roofed Harvey Cars.
The advent of automobiles brought visitors to the park along Route 66, which was later replaced by Interstate 40. Although the whistle-stop town of Adamana has disappeared and Route 66 through the park is mostly overgrown by the short grass prairie, trains still roll along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks.
Erected by National Park
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.
Location. 34° 58.592′ N, 109° 47.616′ W. Marker is near Adamana, Arizona, in Apache County. It can be reached from Petrified Forest Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chambers AZ 86502, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Village on the Rio Puerco (within shouting distance of this marker); Life in the Village (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Meaning of Place
Photographed by Denise Boose, September 2, 2013
2. Santa Fe Railroad Marker
Also see . . .
1. The History and Legacy of the BNSF Railroad. A detailed history complete with historic and current photos. (Submitted on October 2, 2013.)
2. History and Legacy of the Fred Harvey Company. Links are included taking the reader to additional historical information and photos. (Submitted on October 2, 2013.)
Photographed by Denise Boose, September 2, 2013
3. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Tracks
Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,549 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on July 9, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 29, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
